NCC National Capital Core Area Plan | In Progress

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

This is what we have. It dates from 2017, so I wouldn't put too much trust into it.

While at first this seems to be pure fantasy, it does appear that this plaza area, connecting Kiweki Point and the back side of the Global Centre for Pluralism, is sitting at ground floor level, a full storey atop the National Gallery's service yard, entrances, and loading bays. Truck access to this area must be preserved, and can only be provided via Lady Grey Drive, but this could be unaffected. There appears to be a staircase dropping down to the Lady Grey Drive level, which would be doable, as well as an upper-level pathway connection that wraps behind the Mint. Ya, good luck with that part! The shoreline pathway is also a great idea, and could reuse the temporary construction road as far as it goes, but also good luck ever continuing that around the point and under the bridge... unless an extended road is required anyway for the Alexandra Bridge replacement project?

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

That said, does the NCC's move to put general housing across from 24 Sussex tell us (reading between the lines) that they are going to abandon that address as far as housing the PM goes?

How does that follow?

[Richard Eade]

My interpretation is that the NCC feels that it can increase the people-density in that area because they are no longer going to use 24 Sussex for the PM’s residence.

Already the NCC has said that one of the drawbacks of 24 Sussex is that the property is too small to provide the required safety buffer. If that were to be remedied (so that the property could be properly secured, as they claim is necessary), the NCC would be ensuring that the property at 24 Sussex was enlarged to increase that buffer. Such might require Sussex Drive to be diverted further from the house at 24 Sussex. If the NCC now claims that it wants to fill the space around 24 Sussex with ‘ordinary people’, that, to me, is a declaration that they are giving up on increasing the safety buffer.

Also, adding a 4- to 5-storey vantage point across the road from the Prime Minister’s house would not seem like a wise way to increase security for the Prime Minister.

Again, this is only my interpretation of what I have read. That is why there is a question-mark at the end of my previous comment (The one you quoted.). I am wondering if my interpretation holds any water.

As a side comment; the NCC should concentrate on making Ottawa a Grand Capital City, with all of the splendor that that deserves. It should NOT be trying to manage the municipalities that make up the region. Although it does need to work collaboratively with them. And the NCC should be funded to be able to do that work. In 2023, it got about $154M. If it were to get 0.001% of the Federal income from personal income taxes, that number would jump to about $225M (in 2025). This should enable the NCC to actually fulfill its mandate without having to find funds from selling off its assets. I think that a lack of money is the real reason that the NCC has become a property developer.

[Mikeed]

Plans were developed in the 90s to turn Rideau Cottage into the secure home for the Governor General, allowing Rideau Hall to become more of a working property and the GG would sleep & eat (and small office probably) in Rideau Cottage. This is partly because the alternative is for Rideau Hall to be closed to the public, and for public buy in for our system of Government - this Crowned Republic/Constitutional Monarchy - that is fairly toxic long term. The "People's Palace" needs to remain open. Google Earth has updated sat view on Rideau Cottage and the appropriate security buffer the RCMP deems needed. Keep in mind we have had multiple security breaches at 24 Sussex and Rideau Hall where mentally ill minds have gotten pretty close to our head of state or head of government.

One way or another, I believe it's clear the Privy Council/RCMP/NCC has decided that 24 Sussex is done as the PM's residence. Rideau Cottage has been set up for years now as the PM's residence. And it's not temporary.

Without derailing this subject, I'm a firm believer governance would be improved if we physically separated the political arm of the Executive - the PMO - and the state Executive - the Privy Council of Canada - by building a proper working residence so the PMO has less of a grasp on the PCO and the PM doesn't need to do National Addresses (in a country with perennial unity challenges) from his stoop. Supposedly these plans exist for a long time.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

My interpretation is that the NCC feels that it can increase the people-density in that area because they are no longer going to use 24 Sussex for the PM’s residence.

I don't think there's a credible security concern.

[J.OT13]

I like the PM at Rideau Cottage. It's fitting to have him (or her) as a "guest" to the "Crown ('s representative)" in a relatively modest home.

[J.OT13]

National Capital Commission
‪@ncc-ccn.gc.ca‬

The East Wharf platform will take the canal locks to the next level.

This new rendering gives a better idea of what’s to come: You’ll be able to lounge on the wooden platform and enjoy sunsets on the Ottawa River.



September 3, 2025 at 3:50 PM

https://bsky.app/profile/ncc-ccn.gc.ca/post/3lxxfpjaakk2r

[Uhuniau]

Until the geese are done with it, anyway.

[zzptichka]

Nice. Hopefully the wooden platform is still there after spring.

[BlueJay]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Until the geese are done with it, anyway.

That's not very inclusive of you! That Wharf is for everyone.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

National Capital Commission
‪@ncc-ccn.gc.ca‬

The East Wharf platform will take the canal locks to the next level.

This new rendering gives a better idea of what’s to come: You’ll be able to lounge on the wooden platform and enjoy sunsets on the Ottawa River.



September 3, 2025 at 3:50 PM

https://bsky.app/profile/ncc-ccn.gc.ca/post/3lxxfpjaakk2r

Is there a staircase at the far end that we can't see? It doesn't seem very accesible.

[vtecyo]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Is there a staircase at the far end that we can't see? It doesn't seem very accesible.

I think there's a staircase - zooming in on the image posted on bsky shows what I assume are parts of a staircase:

The official project site has another image of it, but it's from even farther away and with virtually no detail...

[J.OT13]

Lady Grey project, from Hull Marina on Saturday.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Lady Grey project, from Hull Marina on Saturday.

Any inside scoop from the Open NCC event on NCC projects? Or those volunteers don't really have any?
I meant to go but things got in the way.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Any inside scoop from the Open NCC event on NCC projects? Or those volunteers don't really have any?
I meant to go but things got in the way.

Couple things. I'll post in the respective threads.

[zzptichka]

This is gonna be good.

[BGO]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

This is gonna be good.

Nice to see that it's built to last. Good job NCC.

[OTSkyline]

Really hope they don't end up building a tall, bulky wall or railing. That would be frustrating.

[Aylmer]

Wouldn't this be just a tremendous location for one of the floating saunas?

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by Aylmer

Wouldn't this be just a tremendous location for one of the floating saunas?

Sauna in the winter, swimming docks in the summer would be great.